Ramdass scores ton in T&T

At 30, former West Indies Test opener Ryan Ramdass still entertains hopes of a First-Class recall and is closely monitoring Guyana’s progress in the 2014 Regional Four-Day tournament.
Ramdass is one of the players put on standby for possible National selection for the ongoing Regional tournament where Guyana sits last on the points table with defeats in both of their matches so far and is presently plying his trade in the Trinidad Premier League for South Trinidad club First Citizen’s Clarke Road.
Ramdass, who hails from Ogle on the East Coast and plays for Everest in local cricket, enjoyed a successful four-day Inter-County competition and was named in the training squad before leaving for the Twin-Island Republic when he was not selected for Guyana for their opening round clash with Jamaica.
Ramdass played his last of 21 First-Class matches in November 2005 and says his desire is still to represent his country at the highest level.
“I am much fitter now after the National team’s encampment with the Soldiers (fitness trainers) and the standard of cricket here is much higher than in Guyana where very little club cricket is played,” Ramdass explained.
Ramdass made his first-class debut in 2004 against Kenya for West Indies ‘B’ before making his first-class debut for Guyana the same year in the semi-final against Barbados where he scored a half-century.
“I am more focused now and a more matured person which has reflected in my cricket here (T&T) and although I am an opener, I am comfortable batting in any position for Guyana,” explained Ramdass.
Guyana’s worst flood in 100 years in 2005 which resulted in all of Guyana’s matches being played away from home, coincided with Ramdass’ best form. He scored three tons including his highest First-Class score, an accomplished unbeaten 144 before a good West Indies ‘A’ team tour to Sri Lanka propelled him into Test cricket the same year when a dispute caused a strike by the senior players.
He had an inauspicious Test debut against Sri Lanka; being run out for three in the first innings before Muttiah Muralitharan got his wicket in the second innings after he had scored 23. This was his only Test.
Ramdass is hoping that his performances in Trinidad attract the attention of Guyana’s National selectors.
“I am hoping to gain selection before the season is over and if I do I intend to grab the opportunity with both hands,” Ramdass told Kaieteur Sports.
In his latest match in Trinidad over the weekend, he scored 110 to spearhead Clarke Road to an innings and 16 runs win against Bamboo Sports. He also has four fifties for the season.
“I am very comfortable in the team here and West Indies under-19 players Nicholas Pooran and Ray Jordon, who play with our team, are very talented youngsters while Yannick Ottley and veteran former T&T off-spinner Mukesh Persaud also play for Clark Road,” Ramdass informed. (Sean Devers)